Colorado Ice Fishing

PERHAPS THE MOST TRANQUIL AND RESTFUL WINTER PURSUIT OF ALL IS ICE FISHING. WHETHER YOU GO DOWN THE BASIC ROUTE OF SETTING UP A CHAIR, CUTTING A HOLE AND WAITING OR GET FANCY WITH AN ICE-FISHING CABIN, THERE ARE PLENTY OF OPTIONS WEST OF 105.

Matt Inden / Miles

GRAND COUNTY

The lakes of Grand County are home to some of the best ice fishing anywhere.

Lake Granby, the third largest body of water in the state at 7,250 surface acres, is one of the three bodies of water from the three lake ice-fishing contest (along with Shadow Mountain Lake and Grand Lake, the latter being the state’s largest natural body of water). Lake Granby offers rainbow trout, brown trout, lake trout and kokanee salmon.

Wolford Mountain Reservoir in Kremmling is another great place for ice fishing. Typically quieter than Lake Granby, the reservoir has rainbow trout, brown trout, kokanee salmon and northern pike. The Kremmling Area Chamber of Commerce hosts the annual Wolford Reservoir Ice Fishing Tournament every February.

RIO BLANCO COUNTY

Rio Blanco County has a multitude of ice fishing opportunities throughout the county. Kenney Reservoir, Rio Blanco Lake and Lake Avery are easily accessible thanks to maintained roads, with the latter having an annual family ice fishing day. Hosted by the Colorado Parks and Wildlife and Meeker Recreation District, it is free to attend (although anglers 16 and over need a fishing license). Jan. 5, 10 am-2 pm. Try your luck catching a variety of trout, crappie and bluegill.

There is breathtaking scenery and unmatched serenity at Trappers Lake and Lodge in White River National Forest. You’ll need to snowmobile (or maybe fat tire bike if you’re really hardcore) in for around 20 miles and then hike the last quarter of mile to the lake. Fish include brook trout, rainbow trout, brown trout and cutthroat trout.

GUNNISON COUNTY

Blue Mesa, the largest body of water in the state, is close to Gunnison, Crested Butte, and Montrose (and not too far from Ouray, Ridgway and Grand Junction). The reservoir has kokanee salmon, brown trout, rainbow trout, perch, suckers and lake trout. You can pretty much fish wherever you can safely get to the ice, but the Iola Basin area is one of the more popular spots.

Elsewhere in Gunnison County, Spring Creek Reservoir and Taylor Park Reservoir, a 2,000-surface-acre reservoir 29 miles northeast of Gunnison, are popular spots. Rainbow trout, brown trout, lake trout and northern pike are on offer.

There are, of course, rules and regulations that differ by location, so be sure to check before you head out.